30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 30 - I am a Passionate Teacher!

Today is the final day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I am a passionate teacher. I truly care about the children and care about helping them make themselves the best they can be!

I wanted to be a teacher ever since I could remember. I don't remember ever wanting to be anything but a teacher. When I was in high school, I was able to work in a Kindergarten for a couple of hours a week, and that finalized my decision. I went to a teacher's college, and worked hard to do well, because I wanted to get a job! Every job I had along the way, I chose with teaching in mind. I was a babysitter, lifeguard (including teaching swimming lessons), camp counseling, and day care provider. It was always about the kids. I managed to graduate with highest honors, (summa cum laude) which helped me land that first teaching job.

I've taught just about every grade for the last 40 years, but my favorite was definitely teaching Kindergarten. I think I spent the most years in second grade, but I've taught everything between Pre-K through 8th grade at some point. Somewhere along the line I managed to get a Master's degree in Creative Arts in Learning, too! (A perfect match for me!)

The primary grades have always been my strength. I relate to that age group the best, and have the background needed for beginning readers, writers, and mathematicians.

I did it for 40 years. 
I retired last June, and I miss it terribly.

About the picture:  I estimate this picture was taken about 10 years ago at the start of the year in my second grade classroom. It was at Open House the night before school started that year. My happy place.

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

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Now tell us something good about yourself!

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 29 - I am Strong!

Today is the twenty ninth day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I am strong!

I've had to be strong, I really didn't have a choice!
I've had lots of things come along in my life where I had no choice but to be strong.

The most challenging, by far, was my divorce.

Before I got married, I made it clear that I grew up Catholic, and divorce was completely unacceptable. He claimed to understand. A few years later, following the most challenging event of our marriage, he announced he was leaving. I was completely blindsided. I had no idea he wasn't happy. I was incredibly happy being married, and he told me he loved me every day. Sometimes several times a day.

I remember lying on the kitchen floor in a fetal position, sobbing, while my beautiful little toddler brought me tissues.

Somehow I had suddenly become a single parent. It was sooooooo far from what I wanted in life, but I had no choice in the matter.

So I got back on my feet and pushed. 

I'm not sure I was a pleasant person to be around back then, but I did the best I could for the sake of my daughter.

Honestly, she's the one who gave me strength. I don't know how I would have made it through those next few years without her. 

I went back to work. I leaned on friends. I took my beautiful toddler to Disney World.  Then I joined a new theatre group. I showed up at an audition for Me and My Girl, not knowing a soul, and got the lead! 

Boy did my self esteem need that! Plus, I made some lifelong friends that helped me through such a difficult time, and are still there today. 

Plenty of other things have required me to be strong, such as having a stroke in 2010, and dealing with retirement last year. (It's much harder than I ever thought it would be!)

But the divorce was, by far, the event that tested my strength.

About the picture:  After Me and My Girl, we had a great cast party at a beach by a lake. I brought my toddler, and we had a wonderful time! My daughter took her first motorboat ride and met a lot of wonderful friends that day.

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 28 - I Tip Well!

Today is the twenty eighth day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I tip well!

I've already mentioned that I am polite and show respect to those with whom I interact. That includes wait staff, hairdressers, taxi and Uber drivers, hotel workers and anyone else who might do a service for me!

People need to be appreciated.

About the picture:  This is my friend Bex, also another New Hampshire blogger. Her blog is Reading and Writing Redhead. We've been to many conferences, workshops, and get togethers, and have shared many a meal as well as being roommates at some events. This was taken at a Teachers Pay Teachers convention in Las Vegas at dinner. One of the best things about these conferences is the opportunity to have meals with some totally awesome teachers!

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 27 - I'm a Sap!

Today is the twenty seventh day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I'm a sap!

I've always been a sentimental soul! OK, some people call it sensitive. I've been called overly sensitive, but I'm proud to be sensitive, and love being a person who feels things intensely. (See this post for Day 21: I am Sensitive.)

I've always been one to cry easily. When I was a kid, I cried way too much. I've gotten a lot stronger about not crying when I'm sad or lonely. But the tears flow easily when my heart is touched. Most of my tears these days are happy tears. Very rarely do I cry when I'm sad. (Although I've been known to cry when I'm angry!)

Guaranteed tears:
*the birth of a child
*weddings of people I know and care about
*a song that sparks special memories
*patriotic music
*telling about something I'm super proud of, like teaching moments
*videos of dogs rescuing people
*videos of people rescuing dogs (or other animals in need)

and the one thing that will guarantee tears in seconds:
*videos of soldiers returning home and surprising their loved ones

About the picture:  This is a group of ladies that have been super important to me ever since college in the 70s. These are some of my sorority sisters on a weekend together. These ladies make me laugh, cry, and just plain feel good that they are there.  

Whenever we get together, there is plenty of laughter, lots of reminiscing of our college days, talk about "old people" issues (retirement, grandchildren, colonoscopies) and some happy tears.

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 26 - I Like to Laugh

Today is the twenty sixth day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I like to laugh!

I've been told I have a "different" sense of humor. I admit, I spent so much time with primary aged children, I tend to still think about things that might be funny from their point of view. But I can also get together with adult friends and laugh like crazy as well. 

Doesn't that feel good? Laughing? 
There's not enough laughter in our world these days.

But honestly, no one can make me laugh like my sister! Maybe it's because we grew up together and developed our senses of humor together. But when we chat on the phone or get together (which isn't often enough) we laugh.

And sometimes we have serious conversations, but we also laugh!

About the picture:  Way back in the mid 80s, my teacher friend, Carolyn, and I went on a trip to Los Angeles, where my brother lived at the time. We left bright and early in the morning, so by the time we got to LAX, where my brother picked us up, we were overtired and "punch drunk." (Do people still use that expression anymore? It's when you're super tired and silly, and laughing at anything.)

We stopped for coffee and were laughing hard at something ridiculously silly.  Sure enough, Carolyn was laughing so hard that coffee came out of her nose. 

My brother was horrified. 

He couldn't bring himself to talk to Carolyn for a couple of days. After a few days, he finally realized Carolyn wasn't a "dumb blonde," but an intelligent, interesting person who just happened to be overtired after the flight. 

The picture is from our trip to Disneyland during this trip.

Boy, did we laugh a lot on that trip! 

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 25 - I am Polite

Today is the twenty fifth day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I am polite!

This is a pet peeve of mine! 

I believe all people have value and all people deserve to be treated with good manners.

Even if I have the right of way, if I'm crossing a street and know someone is waiting for me, I cross quickly.

In the grocery store, I pull my cart out of the way if I need time to browse.

If there is someone behind me as I enter or exit a building, I hold the door for them. If someone holds a door for me, I say, "Thank you!"

If a car lets me into their lane, I always give a big "thank you" wave. In fact, I usually say "thank you" out loud, even though they can't hear me.

I always, always, always use kind words and a positive attitude toward wait staff, receptionists, nurses, custodians, clerks, and anyone else with whom I interact.

If I'm on a plane, a bus, or an Uber, I always thank the pilot, flight attendant, or driver when the ride is over.

I can't think of anyone on earth that doesn't deserve that respect.

About the picture: Last fall, there was a Teachers Pay Teachers get together in Boston called the Boston TpTea Party. Many of my seller friends from around the country came to Boston to network and learn more about our craft. 

Even though I was a local and grew up in the Boston area, I went sight seeing with the visitors, proud of my city. We took the Trolley Tour, which was pretty flexible. You could get on and off the trolley anytime you wanted, (Such as in the North End for Italian food and cannolis!) and pick up the next trolley as it came by. 

When we got off the trolley the first time, the others went on and on about the trolley driver's thick Boston accent. Honestly, I didn't even notice an accent! I guess I lived near Boston longer than I'd thought! The others did manage to catch my Boston on several occasions for the rest of the weekend. 

My favorite quote of the weekend, "Does Boston have a football team?"

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 24 - I am Organized

Today is the twenty fourth day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I am Organized

I've never thought of myself as an organized person, but I guess I am! People who have worked in my classroom have always raved about how organized I am.

Who, me? 
But look at that pile of clutter!

I guess a clue that I'm organized is that I pretty much always know where my stuff is. 

If I don't remember where I put it, I'll check in the obvious place, and there is is! I guess I'm so organized I put things away properly and don't remember doing it.

Even if it's not in the obvious place, I retrace my steps, and there it is! (Especially my phone!)

Unless it's my glasses. They're always on top of my head.

About the picture:  This picture was from a show I did way back near the beginning of my theatre career. Way back in "B.C." (That's "Before Corinne," my daughter!) This was somewhere in the mid-to-late 80s. The show was called Dames at Sea. The show is very 30s, with lots of fun music and tons of dancing. And tons of costumes. Luckily, I had those organizational skills to help me through those fast costume changes!

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 23 - I am Honest

Today is the twenty third day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I am honest

I imagine I got this from my catholic school days, but I've always been painfully honest! 

Sometimes it's been tough, but I tell the truth. 
All the time.

About the picture:  This is a group of people who are near and dear to my heart. These are ladies I taught with and have known a long time. Three of us are now retired, and the fourth doesn't work on Mondays, so we did lunch.

I need to go out with the girls more often. Honestly!

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 22 - I am an Introvert!

Today is the twenty second day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I am an Introvert!

I've recovered from a childhood where I was pretty much afraid to talk (Can we say Catholic School?) but I'm still an introvert!

And proud of it!

A lot of people think introverts are inferior, and it's the extroverts that rule. Society does favor extroverts, but that's only because they're louder. 

I'm a firm believer that BOTH introverts and extroverts are necessary in our society. Yesterday I referred readers to this post, but I'm bringing it back today: Myers Brings: How do you find your energy? This post explains the differences between introverts and extroverts, and reminds us we need both in our world.

(By the way, both spellings are acceptable: extrovert and extravert.)

Here are some interesting things about introverts:
1. Introverts are good listeners.
2. Introverts are deep thinkers.
3. Most introverts are extremely creative!
4. Introverts choose their friends carefully.
5. Introverts can work independently.
6. Introverts learn by watching.
7. Introverts notice details.
8. Introverts aren't looking to be the center of attention.
9. Introverts are better at speaking to large groups of people than mingling with large groups of people.
10. Introverts make good teachers, writers, artists, and actors.

Here's an interesting article I found just yesterday about Introverts: Listen to the Power of Quiet People

About the picture: Six years ago, I did the most NON-introverted thing ever: I got on a plane to get together with other teacher bloggers than I had never met. I'd been in communication with many of these teacher-bloggers, but I'd never met them. I didn't decide until just a couple of days before the meet up, but I decided to go to Las Vegas (where I'd never been) and hang out with several people that were virtually total strangers for several days. I took a deep breath, got on the plane, and never looked back. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I managed to make some life long friends in the process.

But it wasn't easy for me!

But I've learned that taking certain risks can be totally worth it!

This photo was taken when Debbie Clement of Rainbows Within Reach gave her keynote presentation at the I Teach K conference in Las Vegas that year. She invited her blogging buddies to come up on stage with her to share a song. 

If you scroll down on her blog, you'll find this picture on the left. Please notice I was the only one who followed directions about wearing polka dots. (See Day 2: I do the right thing.)

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!

Working Summer Camp? Or Summer School? How to Get Started!

Are you going to be working with groups this summer? 

Perhaps you're working at summer camp...

or summer school...

or volunteering at the library summer program...

or helping out at a summer day care?

No matter what type of summer work you're doing, getting started is possibly the most challenging part of the program!

You may have a variety of children. You might have a variety of ages. You might have some children who know each other. You might have a lot of children who don't know each other. You might have very young children, or you might have pre-teens, teens, or older!

No matter who you've got, before the real learning begins, it's important to help children feel comfortable with each other.

Whatever you do, don't put them on the spot or ask them to talk to someone they don't know right away. Some children love that, others can "handle it," but others will clam up and get nervous about the next activity they do with you. 

What we really want is to get them interacting without having to talk... at first! We might even do something that will get them giggling! 

Here are a few games that will get them interacting, possibly giggling, without traumatizing them! (With links to directions!)

Pass the Clap

Countdown

Musical Shoes

Cooperative Musical Chairs

Once they get comfortable with one another, it's time to try some games where they'll have to talk to one another:

Paper Bag Dramatics

High Low

Party Talk

Speed Chatting

Still looking for more? 

Check out this freebie: Team Building Games and Activities Freebie.

If you're looking for more games, try the full set: 60 Team Building Games and Activities.

If you are teaching summer school, here are some fun summer themed activities that focus on reading and math activities for second and third grade: Summer School Activities

30 Days of Self-Affirmations: Day 21 - I am Sensitive

Today is the twenty first day of my 30 days of Self-Affirmations!

Here's today's affirmation: 

I am sensitive!

I've always been sensitive.
Sometimes too sensitive. 
I cried far too easily as a child. 
Yes, back in the days when a parent or teacher would say, "Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about!" 
I eventually learned to hide my feelings, but they were always still there!

If you're familiar with the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator, I'm definitely an "F!" (See this post to see what this means: Myers Briggs: How do you find your energy?)

One might think this is an not a compliment, but a criticism! True, it can definitely be a disadvantage to be so sensitive, but I also see it as a positive quality. After all, understanding how people feel makes it easy for me to show empathy. 

It also helps me as an actress to portray the feelings of the characters I'm playing!

About the picture:  Speaking of portraying the feelings of the characters I'm playing... 
This is me as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. I believe this was when Yente the Matchmaker told me she'd found a match for my oldest daughter, Tzeital. 
My line was, "Such a match for my Tzeital!"

I did this show 8 years ago, and it was a delight! I got to work with a fabulous cast and crew, and my real life daughter played my second daughter, Hodel! (If you know the story, Hodel is the one who sings the heart wrenching song, Far From the Home I Love.)

Here are my "five children."

My daughter is front left. (She was blonde then.) Interestingly, I saw the little girl behind her this past weekend. She's all grown up and still doing theatre:

On the right is an older version of Greta, still in her 42nd Street costume. I was thrilled I also got to see her older sister, Mia as well. Mia just graduated from high school and is also still doing theatre!

If you want to know more about why I'd sharing daily affirmations, see this post: Why am I Sharing 30 Days of Self Affirmations?

If you want to know more about me, or join in the "self affirmation" fun, follow me on social media. You can find all the links HERE!

To sign up for my newsletter, click HERE!

Now tell us something good about yourself!